Machine for washing plastic fragments to prepare them for recycling

Abstract

A process of, and apparatus for, washing fragments, such as plastic fragments, in a continuous fashion as part of a recycling operation. The plastic fragments are fed into an axially rotating perforated tube, wherein a stationary washing and rinsing spray header are mounted therethrough for spraying the plastic fragments revolving with the tube. Wash and rinse water pass through the perforations, carrying with the water residue and unwanted particles. The wash water, rinse water and unwanted particles pass into a trough arranged below the revolving tube which collects the water and residue and transports same to either a screen separator in the case of the wash water, or a holding tank in the case of the rinse water. Auxiliary systems are disclosed for using recycled wash water and recycled rinse water for the process. A drying system which receives the plastic fragments from the washing apparatus is also disclosed.

We claim as our invention: 
     
       1. A method for washing paper and residue from a stream of fragments comprising the following steps: providing a defined pathway having an inlet and outlet on opposite sides of its axis;   continuously loading fragments into said inlet;   revolving said pathway axially;   turning over said fragments residing in said pathway by said revolving, causing said fragments to rub against each other during turning over;   spraying wash water onto said fragments along a first distance within said pathway;   spraying rinse water directed at said fragments along a second distance within said pathway; and   removing washed fragments from said outlet.   
     
     
       2. A method according to claim 1 comprising the further steps of: providing a perforations through said pathway; collecting wash water, rinse water, and residue which passes through the perforations;   separating and disposing of said residue; and   recycling said wash water and said rinse water to be used for said wash water spray and rinse water spray respectively.   
     
     
       3. A method according to claim 2, comprising the further step of using a vibrating screen method, removing residue from said wash water and passing wash water for recycling. 
     
     
       4. A method according to claim 1 comprising the further steps of: heating said wash water to a preselected temperature for effective wash water spraying; and   pressurizing said heated wash water for spraying.   
     
     
       5. A method according to claim 1 comprising the further steps of: heating said rinse water to a preselected temperature for effective rinse water spraying; and   pressurizing said heated rinse water for spraying.   
     
     
       6. A method according to claim 1 comprising the further steps of: collecting fragments removed from said outlet;   spinning said fragments to remove water;   applying hot air for drying said spinning fragments.   
     
     
       7. A method according to claim 6 comprising the further steps of: after drying using heat and pressure transforming said fragments into a moldable material.   
     
     
       8. A method according to claim 1, comprising the further steps of: heating said wash water with a combustion source;   conserving flue gas heat from the heating of said wash water;   heating ambient air with said flue gas heat; and using said heated ambient air to dry particles from said outlet.   
     
     
       9. A method according to claim 1 comprising the further step of declining said defined pathway from said inlet to said outlet.